I Ching hexagram · 2 of 64
Hexagram 2: The Receptive 坤 Kūn · Receptivity, support, endurance
Receptive and supportive. Success comes through patience, nurturing and following a sound lead. Supreme success through the perseverance of a mare. If the noble person tries to lead, they go astray; if they follow, they find guidance. Friends are found in the south-west and left behind in the north-east. Quiet perseverance brings good fortune.
- Upper: ☷ Earth
- Lower: ☷ Earth
- Nuclear: 2
- Opposite: 1
Number
2 of 64
Chinese name
坤 Kūn
Upper trigram
☷ Earth
Lower trigram
☷ Earth
Nuclear hexagram
䷁ 2. The Receptive
Opposite hexagram
䷀ 1. The Creative
What hexagram 2 means
Hexagram 2 is made of six broken yin lines, the purest picture of receptivity. It is the partner of hexagram 1: where the Creative begins things, the Receptive carries them, gives them form and brings them to completion.
This is a time to support rather than lead, to follow a good direction, and to be patient, practical and devoted. Its power is the power of the earth: quiet, steady and able to carry great weight.
The Judgement · 卦辞
坤：元亨，利牝马之贞。君子有攸往，先迷后得主，利。西南得朋，东北丧朋。安贞吉。
Supreme success through the perseverance of a mare. If the noble person tries to lead, they go astray; if they follow, they find guidance. Friends are found in the south-west and left behind in the north-east. Quiet perseverance brings good fortune.
The Image · 象曰
地势坤，君子以厚德载物。
The earth's condition is receptive devotion. The noble person, with generous virtue, carries the world.
The lines and trigrams
The Receptive doubles the trigram ☷ Earth (坤 Kūn), so its quality of receptivity and devotion fills both the inner and the outer world.
A hexagram is read from the bottom line up. Lines 1 to 3 form the lower trigram and lines 4 to 6 the upper trigram. Solid lines are yang and broken lines are yin; in the traditional names a yang line is called Nine (九) and a yin line Six (六).
Hexagram 2 in your life
Love and relationships
Tenderness, patience and care. Let the relationship unfold at its own pace and listen more than you push. Devotion and reliability matter more now than grand gestures.
Personal growth
Learn the strength of yielding. Being open, adaptable and generous is not weakness; it lets you carry far more than force ever could.
The six changing lines
If you cast hexagram 2 and some lines come out as changing lines, read the text for those lines, then turn each one into its opposite to find the hexagram your situation is moving towards. See how to consult the I Ching.
Line 1 初六 · Six at the beginning
Hoarfrost underfoot: solid ice is not far off. Notice the small, early signs of decline and act before they grow.
Line 2 六二 · Six in the second place
Straight, square and great. Without contrivance, everything goes well. Being natural and honest is enough.
Line 3 六三 · Six in the third place
Hidden talent, kept with perseverance. If you serve a greater cause, don't seek credit; finishing the work well is what counts.
Line 4 六四 · Six in the fourth place
A tied-up sack. No blame, no praise. A time for discretion and a low profile: say little and avoid attention.
Line 5 六五 · Six in the fifth place
A yellow lower garment brings supreme good fortune. Quiet, genuine excellence and modesty earn true respect.
Line 6 上六 · Six at the top
Dragons fight in the meadow and their blood is black and yellow. Overstepping your role leads to a struggle that harms everyone.
Hexagram 2 questions, answered
What does I Ching hexagram 2 mean?
Hexagram 2, The Receptive (坤 Kūn), is about receptivity, support, endurance. Receptive and supportive. Success comes through patience, nurturing and following a sound lead. Hexagram 2 is made of six broken yin lines, the purest picture of receptivity. It is the partner of hexagram 1: where the Creative begins things, the Receptive carries them, gives them form and brings them to completion.
What does hexagram 2 mean in love?
Tenderness, patience and care. Let the relationship unfold at its own pace and listen more than you push. Devotion and reliability matter more now than grand gestures.
What does hexagram 2 mean for work and money?
Supporting roles, teamwork and steady service are favoured. Follow a capable leader, do the groundwork well and let results build. Don't try to take charge too soon.
Which trigrams make up hexagram 2?
Hexagram 2 is made of the Earth trigram (Kūn) doubled, above and below.
What are the related hexagrams of hexagram 2?
Its nuclear hexagram is 2, The Receptive. Its opposite, with every line changed, is 1, The Creative. It reads the same upside down, so it is its own inverse.
All 64 hexagrams
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